PROPELLING AFRICA’S DIGITAL FUTURE
1 - 12 May 2026
07:30 - 09:00 Registration and Refreshments
09:00 - 09:10 Moderator’s Welcome | Caitlin Nash, Founding Director of Golden Thread Markets
09:10 - 09:20 Organiser’s Address | Ralf Fletcher, CEO, Topco Media
09:20 - 09:30
09:30 - 09:40
Platinum Partner Opening Address |Tebogo Leshope, CEO, Sentech
Host City Opening Address | Alderman James Vos: Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town*
09:40 - 09:55 Minister’s Address|Ethics, Safety and Trust: Building a Responsible AI Economy in Africa
As AI adoption accelerates across public institutions, financial systems, and everyday services, the continent faces urgent questions around safety, accountability, and societal impact In this fireside chat; South Africa’s Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Honourable Solly Malatsi, explores how Africa can harness emerging technologies responsibly.
Speakers:
● Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister, Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
Re-Engineering Africa’s Foundational Systems for the Future
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09:55 - 10:30
Hosted by Sentech
Panel Discussion |The Backbone of the Digital Economy: Building Resilient Continental Infrastructure for The Future
As Africa accelerates towards a cloud-driven, AI-enabled economy, the strength of its digital foundations will determine who leads and who lags. This session unpacks the critical role of resilient national infrastructure, from broadcast networks and broadband systems to data transport and last-mile connectivity, in enabling innovation, economic growth, and service delivery at scale. Join us as we explore the engineering, policy, and investment pathways needed to build an infrastructure backbone capable of supporting the continent’s digital ambitions for decades to come.
Panellists:
● Senior Representative, Sentech
● Ziaad Suleman, CEO, Cassava Technologies
● Toni Pellegrino, Managing Director, Nokia South Africa
● Salvador Anglada, Group CEO, Optasia
10:30 - 11:10
Hosted by Telkom
Panel Discussion|Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure: Responsible AI in the 5G & 6G Age
As Africa rolls out next-generation connectivity, trust in the infrastructure powering the digital economy is becoming just as critical as speed and coverage. AI is increasingly embedded within telecom networks, optimising traffic flows, managing spectrum, predicting network faults and strengthening cyber resilience
This session explores how responsible AI is shaping the evolution of 5G and emerging 6G networks across the continent, ensuring intelligent automation enhances network performance while maintaining transparency, data protection and ethical oversight
Panellists:
● Naeem Seedat, Group Executive: Digital Strategy & Venturing, Telkom
11:10 - 11:25 Keynote Address | Alan Knott-Craig, Founder, fibertime
11:25 - 11:35 FAST TRACK NETWORKING
11:35 - 12:00
NETWORKING BREAK | Recharge & Refresh
Digitised Systems for a Modern Africa
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12:00 - 12:35 Panel Discussion | Digital Tools That Will Redefine Energy Security in Africa
With rising energy demand across homes, industries and cities, Africa is shifting focus from reactive power cuts to proactive energy management. This session explores how smart metering, AI-enabled demand forecasting, battery-orchestration systems, virtual power plants and IoT-based energy controls are helping businesses and communities optimise consumption rather than reduce it. From real-time energy dashboards and automated switching to dynamic pricing models, delegates will uncover how digital tools are decentralising power resilience, extending grid capacity and enabling smarter decision-making ultimately shaping a future where energy availability is predictable, transparent and equitably stabilised
Panellists:
● Len de Villiers, Group CTIO, Eskom
● Hilton Baartman, Digital Energy Director - Anglophone Africa, Schneider Electric
● Senior Representative, Amazon Web Services*
12:35 - 13:15 Hosted by Sentech
Panel Discussion|Next-Generation Broadcasting: Hybrid Models for a Cloud-Driven, Multi-Platform Africa
As consumer behaviour shifts and content consumption fragments across devices, Africa’s broadcasting landscape is moving rapidly toward hybrid, cloud-enabled distribution models. This session explores how traditional broadcasters, OTT platforms and telecom networks can collaborate to deliver scalable, flexible and cost-efficient services that meet modern demand. From cloud playout to interactive features and personalised content delivery, we unpack the technologies reshaping the future of broadcasting in a multi-platform Africa
Panellists:
● Senior Representative, Sentech*
● Lungile Binza, COO, SABC
● Sabelo Mwali, CTO, MultiChoice Group
13:15 - 13:55 LUNCH BREAK | Fuel Up and Connect
*=Invitedspeaker/notconfirmedorcommittedasyet
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13:55 - 14:10 Fireside Chat |The Rise of Crypto Economies in Africa
Crypto adoption across Africa is accelerating as individuals and businesses look for faster payments, alternative stores of value, and access to global markets. This session explores how digital assets are shaping new economic ecosystems across the continent.
Speaker:Yande Nomvete, Africa Operations Manager, Binance
14:10 - 14:50
Hosted by LexisNexis Panel Discussion |From AI Hype to Workflow Advantage: Where Real Value Is Being Won
This session moves the conversation from legal tools to systemic transformation, exploring how policymakers, regulators, corporate leaders and legal advisors are shaping adaptive governance frameworks for emerging technologies, cross-border digital commerce, data protection, algorithmic accountability and digital public infrastructure.
Panellists:
● Senior Representatives, LexisNexis*
14:50 - 15:05
Hosted by iOCO Technology G o p Tech Talk | Experience Led AI Software Delivery: AI Accelerates Software Delivery Respect for the Craft Is What Makes It Safe.
Every team is shipping faster AI tools are generating code in seconds that used to take hours The productivity numbers are real and so is the debt accumulating underneath them. We are living through the fastest adoption of a development tool in the history of software engineering. And almost nobody is asking the question that matters most, not how fast are we generating code, but how much of what we are shipping can actually be operated safely, defended in a regulatory review, and maintained by the next engineer who touches it.
This session is not a debate about whether AI belongs in software delivery. That conversation is over It is about what happens in the gap between adoption and governance and why the organisations getting this right are not the ones with the most sophisticated AI tooling. They are the ones who never stopped respecting the craft.
Drawing on two decades of enterprise delivery across banking, telco, government and large-scale legacy modernisation, this talk makes the case for what experience actually provides in an AI-augmented world and what it costs when you treat it as optional
Speaker:
● Denzil Govender, CTO, iOCO Technology Group
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15:05 - 15:45 Panel Discussion |Learning 4.0: Bridging Digital Skills and Employment in Africa’s Future Economy
The future of skills development is digital, but the true measure of success lies in how effectively these skills translate into real economic opportunity. As Africa faces a rapidly growing youth population, the challenge is no longer just access to learning, but ensuring that skills development leads to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. This session explores how intelligent learning platforms, immersive technologies, and data-driven insights are transforming how Africans acquire and apply skills; while directly connecting education to workforce demand.
Panellists:
● Akhil Boddu, Co-Founder, Zaio.io
● Divesh Sooka, Managing Director, Impira Tech
● Yazid Bohardien, Co-Founder & CEO, Launchpath Recruitment
● Leora Hessen, Founder, HelloAida
15:45 - 15:55 Tech Talk |The Future of African Public Transport: Digitisation, Payments and Passenger Experience
African public transport is evolving rapidly through technology This session explores how intelligent mobility platforms are transforming the way people move across cities and regions. Attendees will see how data-driven insights and innovative digital solutions are making transport safer, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of passengers.
Speaker: Jamie Wyngaard, Co-Founder, Loop
15:55 - 16:10 Fireside Chat |Driving African Manufacturing Competitiveness Through Industry 4.0
As global production ecosystems become increasingly digital and data-driven, African manufacturers face a defining moment: adapt, modernise and compete or fall behind. This session explores how Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, industrial IoT, automation, robotics and advanced analytics, are transforming factory floors into intelligent, high-performance environments.
Panellists:
● Vinesh Maharaj, Director: Smart Manufacturing & Industry, NTT DATA Africa & Middle East
16:10 - 16:15 Moderator’s Closing:
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PROPELLING AFRICA’S DIGITAL FUTURE
DAY 2 - 13 May 2026
08:00 - 09:00 Registration and Refreshments
09:00 - 09:05 Moderator’s Welcome | Caitlin Nash, Founding Director of Golden Thread Markets
09:05 - 09:15
Sentech Opening Address | Itumeleng Segaloe, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Sentech
09:15 - 09:30 Deputy Minister’s Address | Laying the Digital Foundation: Infrastructure for an Inclusive Economy
Digital infrastructure is the foundation of a modern economy, shaping how people connect, how businesses operate, and how innovation scales As South Africa continues to expand connectivity, the focus is shifting from access alone to enabling meaningful participation in a digital-first world.
The Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Honourable Mondli Gungubele, addresses the critical role of infrastructure in unlocking economic growth, supporting emerging technologies, and driving inclusion at scale. It also considers the importance of coordinated policy, investment, and partnerships in building resilient, future-ready digital systems that can support the country’s long-term development
Speaker: Hon. Mondli Gungubele, Deputy Minister, Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
Powering Progress: AI, Access & Automation
09:30 - 10:10 Panel Discussion |The Role of Tech in Driving Economic Participation
Economic participation in Africa is being reshaped by a convergence of technologies, platforms, and policy innovations. While fintech has played a critical role in expanding access to financial services, broader digital ecosystems; including connectivity, platforms, digital identity, and data-driven services, are unlocking new pathways for individuals and businesses to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Panellists:
● Kagiso Mothibi, CEO: Fintech, MTN SA
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● Hannah Kasaby, Senior Director: Business Operations, Carry1st
● Ricardo Canovi, Director & Country Manager - South Africa, Kocho
● Senior Representative, Sentech*
10:10 - 10:30 Fireside Chat | Building the African Gaming Ecosystem: Talent, Technology, and Global Reach
Africa’s gaming industry is evolving into a major driver of innovation, digital skills, and economic opportunity This session explores how local studios, esports, and technology platforms are cultivating talent, developing globally competitive content, and positioning African IP on the world stage. Attendees will gain insight into investment opportunities, industry growth trends, and strategies to scale the continent’s gaming ecosystem while building a skilled, future-ready workforce
Speaker:
● Wayne Lurie, Founder & Director, Lurie Inc
● Thato Moraka, CEO, Leaders in Motion Group
● Nicholas Hall, Commercial Manager, Reforged Studios
10:30 - 11:00 Panel Discussion|The Rise of Autonomous Attacks: AI-Powered Breaches, Self-Learning Malware and Defensive Automation
As cyber threats evolve, attackers are harnessing AI to create self-learning malware, automated phishing campaigns, and adaptive intrusion strategies. This session explores how autonomous attacks are reshaping the threat landscape and forcing organisations to rethink their defensive posture. Delegates will gain insight into how AI-driven security tools, real-time threat intelligence, and automated response systems are being deployed to detect, contain, and mitigate these next-generation cyber risks while maintaining operational resilience and protecting critical assets across industries
Panellists:
● Abdul Kader Baba, CTIO, Infrastructure SA
● Mamela Luthuli, Founder & CEO, TakeNote IT
● Ram Ramakrishnan, Founder & CEO, Cloud23
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11:10 - 11:20 Fireside Chat|EntertainTech: Where Human Imagination Meets Intelligent Experiences
As entertainment shifts from passive consumption to fully immersive participation, technology is reshaping how stories are produced, distributed, and experienced. This session explores the next wave of digital entertainment; from AI-generated media to multi-platform worlds, spatial viewing, virtual collaboration, and community-led franchises. Uncover how technology is expanding creative possibility, redefining audience engagement, and building an interconnected entertainment ecosystem where imagination and intelligence converge.
Speakers:
● Simon Wall, Group CEO, Glynt
● Byron Rode, CEO, Ignis Labs
11:20 - 11:40 NETWORKING BREAK | Recharge & Refresh
11:40 - 12:40
Hosted by JUMO
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP |Building Financially Intelligent Businesses: From Data to Decision-Making
Many businesses generate financial data daily, yet struggle to turn it into meaningful action. True financial intelligence goes beyond reporting; it is the ability to interpret performance signals early, understand what the numbers are saying about the business, and make faster, more confident decisions as a result.
This workshop explores how organisations can strengthen their financial decision-making capability by using data more effectively across planning, operations, and strategy. It unpacks how to move from reactive financial management to a more proactive, insight-led approach; where finance becomes a core driver of business performance rather than a backward-looking function.
Participants will gain practical perspectives on how to improve visibility across their business, identify key performance indicators that matter, and build a more disciplined, data-informed approach to growth and sustainability.
Speakers:
● Senior Representative, JUMO
12:40 - 13:30 LUNCH BREAK | Fuel Up and Connect
Building Smarter Futures: Innovation in Education, Experience, and Industry
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13:30- 14:10
Fireside Chat | Rethinking Retail in South Africa
Retail in Africa is not a simple replication of global models; it requires a fundamental rethink. The African consumer presents both unique challenges and significant opportunities, shaped by diverse market dynamics, evolving behaviours, and a rapidly shifting blend of physical and digital experiences.
This session unpacks what it truly takes to build and scale modern retail platforms for this market, exploring how businesses are adapting their strategies to meet changing consumer expectations and unlock growth
Speakers:
● Claude Hanan, Co-Founder, Bash
● Luke Jedeikin, Co-Founder, Bash
14:10 - 14:25
Fireside Chat | Embedded Intelligence: AI Adoption & Monetisation
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in the tools, platforms, and systems shaping how people work, create, and earn A new generation of creators, entrepreneurs, and digital natives is leading this shift. Using AI and emerging tools to scale ideas, streamline production, and unlock entirely new forms of income.
The conversation focuses on how both businesses and individuals are integrating AI into workflows, products, and content to drive growth and monetisation.
Speaker:
● Reece Meyer, Co-Founder, Ace Labs
Pitching Battle | Top Tech Startups Battle it out
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14:25 - 15:30 Pitching Battle | The Ultimate Showdown!
The stage is set for 7 pre-selected Tech Startups to deliver a powerful 3-minute elevator pitch about their groundbreaking innovation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with our esteemed panel of judges. After a fierce round of deliberations, our panel of expert judges will reveal the winner, crowning them as the Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion. The spotlight is on, and only one can take the prize!
Finalists:
Judging Panel:
15:30 - 15:45 Judges Deliberations // Startup Grind Presentation
15:45 - 15:55 Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion announced | Prize Giving
15:55 - 16:00 Moderator’s Closing:
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